Blogging: What’s the Point?

Warning:  Much ranting ahead.

I’ve seen articles posted on various blogs with tips on how to do this and that with your blog to make it better.  Adding/using widgets, customizing the appearance, tracking stats, monetizing, etc.  And don’t forget about promoting your blog using Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Buffer, YouTube, [insert latest social media here].  Annoyingly many of these articles seem to claim that when it comes to blog hosting, Wordpress is the only way to go.  Eye roll.  To quote one blog “if you aren’t already using Wordpress, you need to be”.  This part I always groan at because to me it matters less where you host your blog and more how you use it. 

This can be explained in two parts.  First, in the available features of the site you choose.  I’ve heard much praise on the features available to wordpress users and how well they can fully customize their blogs.  These are only great if you actually use them.  Example, I’ve seen blogs that look wonderful, super well designed.  Guess what?  They’re on blogger.  On the other hand I’ve seen blogs with colors and layouts that scream “default”.  Blogger again?  Nope, Wordpress.  Either site works well as long as you choose what works for you and put in the effort to make your blog the way you want. 

Now the second part gets us closer to my main point, using your blog.  I recently visited another wonderful looking blog.  Everything about it was perfect except for one thing, it was dead silent.  There might as well have been cobwebs hanging around from the lack of activity from the blog owner, not that I really should talk much about inactivity.  Of course I usually avoid going 2+ years without updating.  Meanwhile I know of another blog with a comparatively basic look to it, not to mention a color scheme that I personally wouldn’t go for in a million years.  It is alive with activity from both the author and her readers.  Plenty of posts as well as comments.

Yes, we have finally gotten to my point.  The point?  Blogging isn’t about pretty banners and backgrounds or having a “professional” looking site.  It’s isn’t about following others via every social media site under the sun hoping some of them will follow back.  It’s about sharing yourself with others.  What did you do this week that made you happy?  Share it.  What did you make yourself that you’re proud of?  Share it.  What do you like to do that you think others might like too?  Share it.  What can you teach others to do right now?  What has been on you mind that is just screaming to get out?  What do you want to say that will take more than a photo or 50 characters? Share it!  Share it with others and let them share back. 

This is why I continue to blog, even to come back to my blog after much time away.  So I can Share.  Look forward to more sharing.

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Back from the Chaos with Something Pink

I can’t believe how busy this week has been.  Frantically trying to buy/find/return textbooks while still attending classes mostly on time and completing assignments and reading.  Also getting through crowds of people on and off campus and long lines while trying to buy/find/return textbooks and etc.  I kind of felt like a chicken with it’s head cut off.  Anyway, most of that has been settled and I managed to get everything organized enough to not go insane.  I managed to finish the last projects on my list too, sacrificing sleep in the process, but that’s normal.

The first is this skirt.  I guess it’s obvious by now that I like wearing pink.  I have made three different pink dresses, a matching bag, a cute sweater, and various pink hair accessories already.  But I realized I had yet to make a pink skirt.  Now this one is a little fuller this most of the skirts and dresses I made in the past, so making was slighter more challenging due to the extra fabric to deal with.  I tried to keep it simple with a small ruffle and a couple of pin tucks.  I wanted to have three or four pin tucks, but after how long it took to do the first two I decided just two was perfectly fine.  I still think it looks pretty except for one thing.  The fabric is extremely prone to wrinkling, have I mentioned how horrible I am at ironing?  It could be worse though.

The next project, is these bags.  I finally got the hang of my Knifty Knitter, at least using it as a long loom.  The instructions said it could be used as a round loom too, so I thought I would try that.  That I only I could think of to make that way was these simple little bags.  I didn’t even need instructions for them, and for a beginner knitter that’s easy.  The straps and button loops are crocheted, and I though about adding a fabric lining but decided against it.  These bags are only about 5-6 inches longish and I thought a lining would bulk them out too much.  I had intended to put them both in my shoppe, but I’m thinking of keeping one for myself.  They are cute and they’re the perfect size to toss in keys and such to head to the grocery store or the post office or something simple like that.  Tempting.

Here’s the updated list:

• Business cards
• Lip balm holders
• Pins
• Potholders
• More doll clothes
• Hook reuse
• Pink skirt
• Tote bag
• Skirt
• Bags

Ten down and out.  Finished on time too surprisingly.  Now I have get back to studying or whatever.

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Suds Up or Down

I got a kit to make soap at Bookman’s months ago and it just sat on a shelf until I moved it to another shelf.  I finally took it down and used it.  This is my first time making soap, and as it turns out I’m not too great at it.  I guess they don’t seem that bad judging by the photo, but pictures lie.  I used too much of the little color things in the packet, so the color is too concentrated.  So much so that I’m afraid the color may irritate my eyes and stain my skin.  Imagine being afraid of soap adding stains.  Maybe I’m being silly.  But, I do think I over did it on the fragrance, it seems a little over-powering.  Maybe it will air out.  It’s worth saying, you can’t be good at everything your first try, just try a second time.  So it’s a good thing I still have more supplies.  Now that I know what not to do, the next batch should be that much closer to perfection.  I hope.
Here’s the updated list:

• skirt
• dress shorts
• bookmarks
• boxes
• key necklace
• cutoffs
• embellished wedges
• rings
• soap
• Top
• luggage makeover

Nine down, just two more to go.  The next one will be a little tricky.

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Organized Time

I’m still alive, so don’t worry.  I have just been a little preoccupied lately.  One of the things I’ve been up to besides the usual stuff is reading up on organizing and decluttering.  I figured if I cleaned up a bit and organized everything, then I would have more time for important things, like crafting and sleep.  Here’s some of what I have been reading, maybe it will help some you who may have the same problems with time and stuff.

• The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter by Linda Cobb—This one really popped out at me because it was pink and glittery, but it’s fantastic.  It helps you get started almost instantly, you just have to know what Q.U.E.E.N. stands for.
• Simply Organized by Emilie Barnes—This one is as simple and straight forward as it’s title, it is also so thin that you can read through it in a hurry.  Good for a “there’s no time to organize but I need to” solution.
• Emilie’s Creative Home Organizer by Emilie Barnes—If you liked the last title, you’ll love this one.  More help from the wise one.
• Clutter Cutters: Store it With Style—It is hard to organize all your junk if you have no where to stash it.  This one helps you to declutter and store what left so your house won’t be one big eyesore anymore, not that it is that bad.

Hopefully I’ve learned enough to successfully keep all my obligations in check with these resources.  Or at least I've learned enough to keep my sanity as I try to be superwoman.  It’s an improvement.

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Pause Before the Storm

I have been so busy lately it’s unreal.  I have another test to study for, a project on dental care coming due, a final exam looming near, and not to mention it’s now tax season so on to the coal mines.  If you didn’t already know, I work as a tax preparer during the season every year.  It’s strange because I don’t really look the part.  Some of our customers usually think I’m an intern or a part-time high school student or something.  Imagine their surprise when they find out I’m the one doing their return, some actually panic a little.  It does get insulting sometimes when they prefer to wait for a different preparer with more “experience”.  Technically that would also be me, I have been doing this for a few years.  It does make things a bit more interesting, but just how to balance the time between work schedules, school, household stuff, my cat, and crafts (notice I didn’t say sleep).  With a bit of determination, some organization, a pinch of luck, and maybe a magic wand, I will somehow make do.

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Craft Closet Overload

I found this lovely green material at Goodwill months ago.  It came with matching thread and other notions needed, yet it sits there in the original bag I got it in.   I just haven’t gotten around to it, so why did I get it in the first place if I wasn’t going to do anything with it.  Why do we hoard supplies?  It’s always “oh just imagine what I can do with this”  when we have at least five “just imagine” projects still in the closet waiting for the “imagining” to start.  For me, sometimes I see a good deal and I can’t pass it up, or I see something about to be tossed and I have to save it because it could be useful someday.  I’ve started to take a stand on this.  I haven’t gone shopping “just to look” for awhile now, and one of the reasons I’ve been doing my Project List lately is to finally use some of those materials collecting dust.  Sadly, the green fabric has still been shoved to the back, but be patient dear fabric.  Someday you may still be transformed into something both useful and beautiful, if only I could figure out what.  So, the next time you want to check out the sale at your favorite fabric store or whatever, try “shopping” in your little collection first, you might already have all that you need for your next project.  At the very least, you might be inspired to do a little cleaning up shop to make room for your latest finds.  Maybe not.

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